Partners for Community Development Through Infrastructure

The Ports-to-Plains Corridor is crucial in promoting a major trade route, enhancing economic opportunities and connectivity across 26 Texas counties. The 963-mile corridor spans 26 Texas counties. Each city in West Texas contributes uniquely to this corridor, supporting the region’s sustained growth and prosperity. As active participants in this initiative, we are dedicated to supporting its goals and contributing to the sustained growth and prosperity of West Texas.

Freese and Nichols is ready to support your community and your team through these initiatives, drawing from multi-year experience in the affected regions as well as a professional expertise in the specific challenges communities will face, like rapid growth infrastructure needs, heavy emphasis on transportation and environmental needs to accommodate improvements, and support for navigating complex funding opportunities.

RESOURCES
image description
By the Numbers

Transportation Experience Across Texas

37

County Clients in Texas

10

Transportation Planning Projects

$1.1 Billion

Resulting from Our Bond Program Planning Projects

Familiarity with DOT Districts

Collaborating with transportation agencies, cities and counties, Freese and Nichols has designed roads, highways and bridges since the 1890s. Offering expertise in transportation planning, engineering and program development, we have been involved in numerous corridor projects that support economic development and improve quality of life.

Our team of transportation planners, traffic engineers, roadway designers, utility engineers, environmental scientists and construction managers are led by experienced project managers.

Freese and Nichols is certified to work for the DOTs of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Georgia. Our extensive experience with these DOTs allows us to navigate the unique regulatory environments and requirements of each state, ensuring compliance and efficiency in every project.

Learn more about our transportation services: 

  • Highways and Dots
  • Roadways and Bridges
  • Transportation Planning
  • Aviation, Ports and Transits
image description

Local Team, National Expertise

REGIONAL ROOTS

Our teams live and work in the regions touched by the Ports to Plains Corridor. Our local history runs deep: for more than 130 years, Freese and Nichols has helped Texans navigate growth and develop critical infrastructure.

Personal relationships with local stakeholders paired with our extensive knowledge of the state’s diverse landscapes and regulatory environments help us create infrastructure solutions that are effective, sustainable and aligned with unique community priorities.

NATIONAL BEST PRACTICES

Our multidisciplinary team includes experts in water resources, transportation, urban planning, environmental science and construction management working across the U.S. This geographic diversity allows us to draw from the best practices and innovations trusted and applied by our own Freese and Nichols experts, bringing industry-leading infrastructure solutions to each of our community partners.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR MORE THAN 130-YEAR HISTORY
image description

Expertise for DOTs

PLANNING

Freese and Nichols takes a strategic and methodical approach to transportation planning. This phase involves key activities such as developing schematics, conducting environmental assessments and creating comprehensive Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E). Our team combines thorough data collection, such as traffic forecasting and design surveys, with detailed evaluation of alternatives to establish a strong foundation for subsequent design and construction phases. 

SCHEMATIC DESIGN

We develop detailed schematic designs that are the foundation for successful transportation projects. Our services include route studies, feasibility studies, and 3-D visualization, making sure that every aspect of the project is meticulously planned and visualized before construction begins. Our schematic designs are tailored to meet the specific needs of each project, providing clear and actionable plans that guide the entire project life cycle.

image description
PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTIMATES (PS&E)

During the PS&E phase, schematic layouts are transformed into detailed design plans to prepare for construction. This includes paving and drainage design, bridge layouts, utility designs for water and wastewater systems, retaining wall plans, and traffic control and illumination plans. The process typically progresses from an initial 60% design package to refined 90% and 100% submittals, refining precision and readiness for implementation.

CONSTRUCTION

Effective construction planning minimizes disruptions while maintaining a focus on safety and efficiency. Key considerations include evaluating options for road closures, guiding detour routes, and managing pedestrian and traffic access with tools like temporary signal adjustments and message boards. During the bidding and construction phase, our team provides support by reviewing contractor qualifications, recommending bidders and offering on-site inspection and oversight. These measures support quality execution and project success. 

image description

Environmental Expertise for DOTs

Our environmental expertise is integral to our work with DOTs. We offer comprehensive environmental permitting and documentation services, verifying that all projects comply with state and federal regulations. Our team conducts thorough environmental impact assessments, noise analyses and utilizes drone photo imagery to accurately capture and assess project sites. We are committed to environmental stewardship and work diligently to minimize the ecological footprint of our projects.

image description

Understanding High Growth for Small Communities

The Ports to Plains initiative will have a significant impact on our West Texas communities. As such, it will be helpful to partner with someone who has been through it before. Freese and Nichols has direct experience to draw from to help lead your community through the impending high-growth period. We can help anticipate what is coming and show a path through it, including how to leverage and maximize state and federal funding for needs that arise.

Learn more about our support for:

  • Project execution best practices
  • Urban planning, utility planning and transportation planning needs during seasons of high growth
  • Funding
  • Community Involvement

 

image description

Learn More

130 Years of Transportation: The Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike

Learn More

Freese and Nichols Setting the Standard in Construction Management

Learn More

Willow Creek Road: A Lifeline for Residents and Schools

Learn More

Driving Oklahoma’s I-35 Corridor Transformation

Learn More

An Open Road and New Opportunities: Parker County Marks Two Transportation Milestones

Learn More

Small Bridge Makes a Big Impact in North Carolina

Learn More

Contact Our Ports to Plains Leaders

image description

Heather Keister | Principal/Vice President

Email >
image description

Charles Gaddy | Project Manager

Email >
image description

Ryan Fikes | Environmental Scientist

Email >